Apparatus for the formation of concrete piles in situ



Aug, 23, 1932 J. M. DEALY 1,372,688

APPARATUS FOR THE FORMATION OF CONCRETE FILES IN SITU Filed Nov. 50. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IIIIIII IN V EN TOR. ix 7%. X0

AZ WATTORNEYS.

Aug. 23, 1932. J DEALY 1,872,688

APPARATUS FOR THE FORMATION OF CONCRETE FILES IN SITU Filed Nov. 30. 1929 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. G .5

Patented Aug. 23, 1932 iJiTEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN M. DEALY, F ASTORIA, NEW YORK, AS SIGNOR T0 MACARTH UB/ CONCRETE PILE CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE i arranarus ron'rnn ronivrarrionor.ooivcnn'rnrinns IN sr ru Application filed November 30, ,1929. Serial No. 10,675.

This invention relatesto apparatus for forming concrete piles in situ, and, more particularly, to collapsible core constructions adapted a such piles.

In general it is an object of the invention to provide apparatus of the character described which is permanent and sturdy in construction, which can be easily operated,

is which can be assembled and-disassembled with extreme ease, and whichwill efficiently perform the function for which it is intended. I

More particularly itlis an objectof the invention to provide a collapsible core construction wherein the parts which are subjected to strain are of a particularly sturdy nature, and whereby ease and certainty of operation are secured without the provision of means positively connecting thecenterbar and core leaves.

A further object is to provide an improved core head construction.

A more specific object is provision of improved means for maintaining core leaves in place during operation, while permitting the ready removal of the same when access to the interior of the core is desired. as Another more specific object is to provide improved means for preventing relative'rotation of the center-bar and the core leaves.

Another object isto provide a center-bar which is of particularly sturdy construction and which is adapted to distribute evenly the shocks of blows.

Other objects of the invention willin part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter. v

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: r

Figure 1 is a vertical section of the upper and lower ends of one form of collapsible core construction embodying the invention;

2 is a horizontal section, looking in the direction of the arrows along the line W 22 of Fig. 1;

for use in the formation of directed to the I the line 13 13' of Fig. 9; vi

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view, lookmg in the direction of the arrows along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, and illustrating one means for preventing relative rotation of the center-bar and core" leaves;

' Fig.4; is an enlarged top view of the form of apparatus exemplified in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section taken in the direction of thearrows along w the line 5-5 of Fig. 4:;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section looking in the direction of the arrows along the line 6-6ofFig.5; I

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section, looking in the direction of the arrows along the line 7-7 of Fig. 3; i I

Fig. 8 is a vertical section of the upper portion of another form of collapsible core construction embodying the invention; Fig. 9 is a vertical section of the lower portion thereof;

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section taken along the line 10l0 of Fig. 8; v Fig. 11 is a horizontal section taken along the line 1l11 of Fig.8;

Fig. 12 is a horizontal section taken along the line 1212of Fig. 9; v I

Fig. 13 is a horizontal section taken along Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view showing a modified form of means for' detaching the ring segments; and A Fig. 15 is a horizontal section taken along the line 15 -15. of Fig. 14. V

The invention in its broader aspects is adapted to be embodied'in various forms of collapsible core. The exemplified forms of collapsible core, however, are particularly adapted for sinking into the ground a shell of any convenient form, or construction, such as the'thin sheet metal shells commonly "employed for the formation of concrete piles in situ. It is common practice for such shells to be sunk into the ground by means of a col lapsible 'core, after which the core'is withdrawn and theshell 'filled with concrete.

There are exemplified forms of collapsible cores whichare soy-constructed that-certainty and easeof operation are combined with such sturdiness and strength as to insure that each operated through: the medium of. suitable driving and. withdrawing apparatus, such, for example, as is well known to the art. About the center-'barare arranged a: plural-'- ity of core-leaves 13, which are separated longitudinally so as to permitthesame to-be expanded against the inner surface ota she l 'duri'ng d'rivi'ng and to be Collapsed when the coreis withdrawn. In the. pres ent instance these leaves are provided with inwardly extending.,lugs 14. having downward. extensions 15,. the outer surfaces of which areinclined upwardly and out.- wardly and which fit within the: similarlyiueli'ned inner surface of the.' flange 1610f a cup-shaped member 117 suitably carried on the Center-bar., and providing socket means. The members 14. and 17' are thus. adapted to carry the core leaves on the center-bar, to collapse the. leaves. when. the center-bar is moved upwardly with respect thereto, and while the extensions 15 are-within the flange 1.6,,to prevent the removalotthe leaves; .In the. exemplified construction the member .17, which may be suitably secured in place, is firmly held! against downward movement on the center-bar by meansof a. split ring, 18fitting Within a groove 19 in. the center-bar. Any suitable number ofgsets of lugs 14: and cup-shaped: members 17 may be: provided,

depending upon the length of the core; and

the. particular conditions underwhichthe same are to be used. In order to press the core leaves-into-their expanded position the center-bar carries a series of wedge-members 20 having upwardlyand outwardly-inclined surfaces: which are adapted to, seat against the surfaces of cooperating wedging-elements 21-. on the core leaves. Itwillthus-beseen the downward movement of the. center-bar will-efiectuatetheexpansionot the-core leaves sgainsttheshell, and thatthesurfacesef the elements lififand. LES-willregulate this expanding. movement.- and will, upon. thev upward movement. oiithe center-bar, .efiectuatethe ncllapselot the core leaves. With. a view to for smootlmess. 0t. operation, and eliminating play between the parts at any point in their movement, inclination of: the ooopemting surfaces of the. members 15, and

' 15v is preferably made: similar to. the inclination otthe. surf-anesott'he members 20. and 21. I121 certain. instances, and particularly toward the lowerend ot the core, where ractical considerations make. it undesirable to form flie socket. means.-

the. cooperating elements with the surfaces inclined at the same pitch as the surfaces of the wedging elements, the surfaces may be inclined at a diilerent pitch, as indicated at the members 14 and 17 in Fig. 1; such members being arranged, it

the ccnter bar, such, for example, as would permit uneven spacing of the core leaves, each leaf is provided with one or more i. wardlgvprogecting lugs22 each fitting within a slot 23 in an annulus 24 secured to the center-bar; the slots 23 being of :zwuiiicien depth to accommodate the lugs when the core leaves are fully contracted.

In order to maintain all ofthe parts fir' in place dur'ingop'er ion there is intern 'b'etweenjthe driving cap and the core suitable means whereby the movement of the leaves for the head so liu 'ted as to prevent a movement of the elements 15 out of the cup-shaped member 17, and, accordingly, to prevent the undue expansi n of the core leaves. In the present inst. us, this means includesa wide ring 25' fitting beneath the driving cap and carrying suitable means er:- empliiied at Sl for limiting the movemcn the leaves toward the cap; The lin 2 provided the r: iii.

shell into the ground or for othcrw e ing a bore for the recept n of th c whereas, when the latches E29 9.19 removed theris suiilcient' play between the center-bar and the core-leaves to permit the collapse oi the leaves.

It is to be observed that the means at e revent" a suliicient upward movement of an? at with respect to the center-bar to permit e leaf to be removed from the structure.

order to permit the replacement oi an individual core-leaf, when for any re s same is injured, and. also the ready ipecti on and repair of the parts at the of the core, there is pivierabli ided' displaceable withdrawal neans consisting in the prese t is .nnee o ..r of members 31 removabiy mounted on .25 by means of screws '32, upon the unscrewing of which the members 31 may be slid from between the ring 25 of the core --p reve ntin the core leaves.

ment of the latter to bring the lower end of the projections above the upper end of the flange 16 and p-ermitthe core-leaf to be lifted from the core.

In view ofjthe foregoing the operation of the Construction exemplified in Figs. 1 to 7 will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. .A thin metal'shell having been slipped over they core, the latter is suspended above the ground, the core-leaves being held in contracted position by the members-14 and 17, and force is applied to the driving cap. This forceis transmitted to the center-bar so as to efiect a wedging action between the members and 21 to cause an expansion of the core-leaves. lVhen the-latter have been expanded and the driving can has been pushed against the ring 25, the latch-members 29 are slipped over the lugs 30, so that the continued applicat on of driving force will press the unitary core and 'thefshell into the ground. When the shell has been driven a sufficient distance .into the ground, the latchemembers 29 are removed, lifting force is applied to the driving cap .12, and the center-bar drawn upwardly; the wedging action between the inner surface of the flange 16 and the outer surfaces of the projections 15 acting to collapse the core-leaves. Further upward movement of the driving cap and the centerbar will cause the flange'16 to contact with. the under surfaces of the members 14 to liftthe leaves, with the result that the leaves will. be liited with the centerbar out of the shell, which may then be filled with concrete. lVhen desired, suitable means, such as the lever 33'mounted on a transverse shaft 34 may be provided to overcome any clamping action between the wedging members 20 and 21 and to initiate the collapsing movement of the core. I I

The form of construction exemplified 'in Figs. 8 to 13, inclusive,is generally similar to the form of construction heretofore described, but embodies certain features of construction which are of particular advantage in overcoming various types of operating difficulties and which is of a particularly permanent and sturdy nature.

This construction comprises a center-bar 40 to the top of which there is secured by ,means of a stem 41 a driving cap 42. About the center-bar are arranged a plurality of independentcore-leaves 43 provided with inwardly and downwardly extending lugs 44 adapted to fit within one or another of a'plurality of cup-shaped members 47 disposed at suitably spaced points along the centerbar. At other points wedge members 49 and 50 which are adapted to seat against cooperating wedging elements 51 on As exemplified, the operating surfaces of the members 44. 47, 49, 50 and51 have asimilarpitch WVith a View to evenly along the center-bar distributing the driving force in sinking a core and sliell,the center-bar is formed, in the present instance, with a varying diameter, the portion, 52 thereof, having the largest diameter, being positioned between the ends of the bar, and the sides of the bar being stepped inwardly from time to time toward veachof its ends. At the points on the center-bar above the portion 52 where.

the same is stepped inwardly there areprovided shoulders 53 for retaining certaln of the cup-shaped members 47 and-shoulders 54 for retaining the wedgingv members 49. During the assembly of the core, the members 47 and 49 may be slipped over the upper end of the center-bar before the cap 42 is screwed on,-and readily moved into place and suitably secured there. The wedge members 50 below the portion 52, on the otherhand, are

formed integral with the center-baritself.

With a view'to preventing relative rotation of the center-bar and the core leaves,

the center-bar is provided, in the presentinstance, adjacent its center with a ring 55 carrying lugs 56, each of which fits'between the prongs of a U-shaped member 57 on one or another of the core-leaves and adjacent its lower end with a similar-ring, the lugs 56 of which fit within slots 58 in. they coreleaves. r

; Between the driving cap and the core leaves there is inserted a ring 60 having a tubular stem .61 provided with outward extensions 62. These extensions 62 fit beneath lips 63 at the top of the memberfcarrying the upper wedging element 51which extends above the top o f'each core-leaf. It is to be observed that,,in the present instance, this member is formed with inwardlugs 64 which fit into notches 65 in the extensions 62 so as to prevent rotation of thering 60 with respect to the core-leaves. The ring 60 isprovided with pivoted U-shaped lat-ch members 66 adapted to fit over lugs 67 on the driving-cap. Removable -means, such as the ring segments 68 which are detachably connected by bolts 69, is provided between the ring 60 and the members'63 so that by removing the same the core leaves may be moved upward a sufficient A modified form of means for detachably mounting the ring segments 68 is shown in Figs. 14 and 15. In this case the segments carry projections 70 at their ends so as to permit the segments'to be detachably connected by means of bolts 71.

The mode of' operation of the above-described structureis similar to that of the structure shown in Figs. 1 to? and will be readily understood when the same'is considered in connection therewith;

Sincecertain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodimentsi'of the; invention could be made 'fwithoutide'p'arting: from the scope thereof,itis intended that all-matter contained in the above y, description or sho'wvnin't'he accompanying drawings shall-be interrupted as: illustative 'and not in a limitingse'n'se.

It isalso to be understodd thatthe following claims are -intende'd to cover' all of the :generic andspecific features of the invention herein described,' and all =statements of I the scopeofthe invention whicln as a matter of language, mi'ght be said to fall therebetween. Having-described my invention, What I claim asnew and desire to' secure by I-Jetfcers Patent' is: i

1. :Apparatus 0f the l character -describe'd, comprising a eentenbar, a plurality of 'core- -leaves,'lmeans' operable by:a displacement of saidf center -bar a;'nd 'providing 'cooperatirrg A 1nc'li nedsu'rfac'es on the centefib ar'and coreleaves i respectively for i causing the collapse ofthe core-leavespand means operable by a displaeementof 'said center bar and-providing eooperjatin inelined surfaces on tll-C11- ter-ba'r" and 'eoredeaves' respectively: Or eans- "ing theexparision'of the core-leaves, eachset of inclined surfaces" havinga similar-pitch.

2. Apparatus of i the character :dese'ribed, com risin a center-bar, ap'lurality' of cere leaves, means operable by a displacement 'of said center bar and cxtthe center-bar' and the core leaves respectively havin cooperating inclined 'surfaces'-and being arranged to sup- 'po'lt theccreleaves and teexert a'c'ollapsing action thereong'andmeansoperableby adis- 'placementiof said center bar a'n'd on the "cen- -ter bar and the core leaves having inclined surfaces arranged to exert" an expanding action on the core leaves,- all of saidinclined'sur facesf having the same'pitch.

3. 'Apparatus'of the cha acter -"described, 'comprisin'ga center bar, a; pluralityof core leaves; a cu'p shaped' member carriedbythe 'center bar havin'g'a flangeW-ith an inclined inner surface, anelement carried'by each'core leaf and rovided with-an inclined's'urface adapted to cooperatewith the surface of said cup-shaped member, -a'wedge carried by'the center-bar, and an element carried by each core leaf'and provided With-an inclined sur- "fa'ce adapted to cooperate' with the i i'iclineol surface of sai'd'wedge; each of said inclined surfaces having the 'same'pitch.

4; Apparatus of the character described, comprising a center-bar, a plurality of independent core leaves, means operable by a displacement of said center bar and providing cooperating inclined surfaceson the centerba rand core leaves 'respectivelyfor causing "69 the collapse of the core leaves, means operable by a displacement of said center bar andpro- "vid'ing cooperating inclined surfaces on the center-bar and-core leaves respectivelyim causing the expansion of the core leaves, alloi i675 said'inclinedsurfaces having thesame'p'itc'h,

ageesg ess and means to prevent the relative rotation of said center-bar andsaidcore leaves.

5. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a driving cap, a center-bar, a plurality of core leaves removably supported thereon, and means for normally preventing the removalofsaid core leaves and including means independently interposed between saiddrivingcap andsaid core leaves adapted to be displaced and When'displaced to perthe removal of the core-leaves.

6. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a cap, a center-bar, a plurality of core leaves remov'ably carried thereon, mean-s independently interposed between said cap a-nd said coreleavesfor preventing the removal of said core leaves, said means including a 'displaceable member the displacement of'w'hichvvill permit the removal of the core leaves.

7. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a center-bar, a plurality of core leaves, means providing cooperating inclined surfaces on the center-bar and core leaves for causing the collapse of the core leaves, means providing' 'cooperating inclined surfaces on the center bar and core leaves for causing the expansion of the core leaves, the former 'm-eans serving to pre'ventlateral movement of the core leaves'when' the expanding'means "is in operative position," means serving normally to prevent relative longitudinal movement of the center-bar and the core leaves beyond said position and including means displaceable laterally from a point above said core'leavestopermit-said core leaves to be movedrelatively of' sai'd center-bar beyond 'sai'd position. 7

8. A paratusef't-he character "described, comprising a center-bar, a pl-urality of core leaves, means providing cooperating inclined 'surfac'eson the center-bar and core leaves for causing the collapse of thecore leaves, means providing cooperating inclined surfaces on the center-bar and core leaves for causing the expansion of "the core leaves, the former means serving toprevent lateral movement of the coreleaves'vvhen the expanding means is in operative position, means s'e'rvin'g'normally to prevent relative longitudinalmove- 'ment of'thecenter-bar and the core leaves beyond said position and including means displaceable laterally from a point above said core leavesto Permitsaid core leaves tobe moved relatively of said center-bar beyond said'p osition, and cooperating means on said center-bar and said core leaves to pre'vent'rotary movement of saidcore'leav'es With respect' to said center-bar.

9. Apparatus of the character "described, 3 II comprising a center-bar, end of the'bar, ajplurality ofin'depen'de'nt core leaves, cooperating elements'onthe center- 'bar and core leaves "for-"limiting the expana cap at the upper sion of the coredeaves, said elements being arranged topermit the withdrawal of said core leaves, and displaceable meansjinter normally preventing the separation of said core leaves- 10. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a center-bar, a cup-shapedmember carried thereby, a'plurality of independent core leaves, each of saidcoreleaves'being provided with an inwardly and downwardly extending element adapted to cooperate with said cup-shaped member for retaining said core leaves and for causing the collapse ofthe same when the center-bar is moved upwardly, means including saidcollapsing means for limiting the expansion of said core leaves, re movable means for normally preventing the withdrawal of said downwardly extending elements from said cup-shaped member, such withdrawal being permitted upon the removal of said removable means. 11. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a driving cap, a center-bar secured thereto,'a plurality of core leaves arranged to have a limited longitudinal movement with respect to the center-bar, cooperating wedging means on the center'doar and thecore leaves, a member interposed between said driving cap and said core leaves and arranged to partake in the support of the latter, said interposed member being mounted .for longitudinal movement with respect to the.

center-bar, and latch means, pivotally con-V nected with said interposed member for re-f leasably holding the same against said am.- ing cap. V i

12. Apparatus of the character described,

comprising a center-bar, socket means on the center-bar, a plurality of core-leaves each pro vided with an element adapted to extend within saidsocket means'for retaining the core leaves, a cap at the upper end of said centerbar, and means interposed between said cap and the upper end of said core-leaves for normally preventing the withdrawal of said downwardly extending elements from said socket means, said interposed means .including removable means upon the removal of which said retaining elements may bewithdrawn from said socket means. 7

18. Apparatusof the character described, comprising a driving cap, a center-bar secured thereto, a plurality of independent coreleaves, means for expanding said core-leaves in response to the movement of the center-bar in one direction, means contracting the coreleaves in response to the center-bar in anotherdirection, the latter means being arranged to limit the lateral movement of'the core-leaves, means interposed between the driving cap and the core-leaves for retaining said collapsing means 1n movement-llmiting position, said interposed means including'dis placeable means upon the displacement of which the core-leaves may be moved laterally and, removed from the center-bar.

posed between said cap'and 'core leaves for 14. Apparatus 01": the characterdescribed,

comprising a center-bar, a plurality of core leaves, cooperating wedging members onsaid center-bar and said coreleaves, at least one otjthe 'wedging members, on, thecenter-bar being arranged to take;v part in the support of said core leaves,said center-bar provided 1 with'a groove beneath said supporting member,'and a ringin said grooveadapted positively to prevent the downward movement of said supporting member. a A

15. Apparatus of the character described, a

comprising a 'center-bar,fa cup-shaped mem ber on said center-bar, a plurality of core- 16. Apparatus of the character described,

comprising a'center-bar, a plurality of core leaves, acore leaf supporting member on said center-bar, and means providing. a shoulder on said.center-barpositively to prevent the downward movement of said supporting member. 7 a a 17. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a center-bar, a cup-shaped mem, ber on said center-bar, a plurality of core leaves ,"means on each core leaf to carry the same on said cup-shaped member, and means providing. a shoulder on said center-bar positively to prevent downward movement of said cup-shaped member. 7 i

18, Apparatus of, the 1 character comprising a center-bar, a plurality of core leaves, means spaced along the .centerdoar' andthe core leaves to expand and collapse said core leaves in response to downward and upward movement, respectively, of the center-bar relative thereto, means at the-top of said center-bar adapted to receive blows of a driving hammer, said center-bar having its greatest diameter at a point intermediate its ends, its periphery being stepped in wardly from said central portion to smallerdiameter portions at its ends.

described,

b'ar' providing shoulders, certain of said described,

spaced wedging means being mounted on said center-bar against said shoulders. I Apparatus of the character described,

' 'colla se said core leaves in response to downcomprising a center-bar, a plurality of core war and upward movement, respectively, of the center-bar relative thereto, said centerba'r being formed to provide shoulders for supporting certain of the wedging means thereon and for positively stopping the motion of said certain wedging means there p v 21. Apparatus of the character described,

leaves, a wed ing member carried by the center-bar, and means on the. center-bar providing 'a shoulder beneath said wedging member to support the same and positively to stop the motion thereof therepast. 22. Apparatus of the character described comprising a center-bar, a plurality of core leaves, a wedging member carried by said center-bar, and an annular shoulder onsaid center-bar beneath said wedging member to support the same and positively tostop. the passage of said member therepast, I

23. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a center-bar, a plurality of core leaves, means spaced along the center-bar and the core leaves to expand and collapse said core leaves in response to downward and upward movement, respectively, 'of the center-bar relative thereto, and means at the top of said center-bar adapted to. receive blows of a driving hammer, said, center-bar having its greatestdi'ameterat a. point intermediate its end's, its periphery being stepped inwardly from said central portion to smaller-diameter portions at its ends, the, stepped portion, of the center-bar upwardly from its central portion providing shoulders for supporting certain offthei expanding and contracting means on the center-bar.

24. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a center-bar, a plurality ofjcore: leaves separably mounted thereon, (300118111111 i'ng wedging means on said center-ban and said core leaves, an annular member. extending about, the upper portion ofthe center-bar andabovethe upper ends of the core leaves, a drivin -cap secured to the upperend of the: centerar, means; for releasably connecting. said annular member with the driving cap, and a member: providing slots with radial; sides and members extending. inwardly can-V lied by the annular member and the core. leaves, respectively, for preventing relative rotation of the last-mentioned members 25; Apparatus of the character described, comprising a center-bar, aplurality ofi'ndependent core, leaves, cooperating means" on,

he. center-bar and corelea-vesfor expanding the. leaves cooperating elements. on the Q center-bar and. core leaves for collapsing the leaves, means to limit "the relative longitudinal movement ofthe center-bar and the core leaves, said collapsing means acting to prevent the removal of the core leaves when the v same are moved between said limits, said hmiting means including detachable spacing means disposed in a path of movement of said core leaves, to prevent the removal of sa1d core leaves except when the spacing means is means which when detached permits the removal of said core leaves, said detachable spacing means including ring segments detachably securedone to another.

27. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a center bar, a plurality of core leaves, means providing cooperating inclined surfaces on the center-bar and core leaves for causing the collapse of the core leaves, means providing cooperating inclined surfaces on the center-bar and core leaves for causing the expansion of the core leaves, the former 1 means serving to-prevent lateral movement of the core leaves when the expanding means is in operative position, means serving normally to prevent relative.longitudinal movement or the center-bar and the core leaves-beyond said positionv and including means displaceable laterally from a point above said core leaves to'permit'said core leaves to be moved relatively of'said center-bar beyond said positi'on,.and' cooperating m'eans on said centerbar and said core leaves to prevent rotary movement of said core leaves with respect to said center-bar, said center-bar providing shoulders for supportingcertain of said surface-providing means onisai'd center-bar.

'28... Apparatus of 'th'e character described, comprising a center-bar, a cap at the upper endof" said bar, a plurality of core leaves, means providing cooperatingi inclined sur faces on said center -bar and core leaves for causing'thecollapse ofs'aid core leaves from an expandediposition, means serving normally'to prevent relative longitudinal' movement oh saidjcentersbarand: said cone: leaves beyond. saidv expanded: position extending in part horizontallybetween said leaves and saidocap, and including a. plurality of elements disposed annularly about. said center bar,aand; means releasable for retaining said elementsiniplaoe whereby upon. the release Y5."

of said releasable means said elements may be radially removed out of the path of the vertical movement of said core leaves for permitting the removal of said core leaves relatively of said center-bar beyond said expanded position.

29. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a center-bar, a cap at the upper end of said bar, a plurality of core leaves means providing cooperating inclined surfaces on said center-bar and core leaves for causing the collapse of said core leaves from an expanded portion, and means serving normally to prevent relative longitudinal movement of said center-bar and said core leaves beyond said expanded position extending in part horizontally between'said leaves and said cap, and including a plurality of elements disposed annularly about said centerbar, and releasable bolts for retaining said elements in place whereby upon the release of said releasable bolts said elements may be 7 radially removed out of the path of the vertical movement of said core leaves for permitting the removal of said core leaves relatively of said center-bar beyond said expanded position.

80. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a center bar, a plurality of coreleaves, means providing cooperating inclined surfaces on the center bar and core-leaves, respectively, for causing the collapse of the core-leaves and adapted to be operated by a force, the application of which thereafter advances said apparatus, and means providing cooperating inclined surfaces on the center bar and core-leaves, respectively, for causing the expansion of the core-leaves and being adapted to be operated by force, the applica-' tion of which thereafter lifts said apparatus. In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOHN M. DEALY. 

